Diseases  of  Cattle  and  Sheep. 
559 
of  lambs;  and  the  yeaning  season  is  one  that  requires  every  care 
and  indulgence  on  their  part. 
In  many  parts  of  the  United  Kingdom  sheep  are  extensively 
employed  in  maintaining  the  fertility  of  extensive  breadths  of 
light  soil,  by  directly  consuming  on  the  ground  the  common 
grasses  as  well  as  the  ordinary  green  crops  in  conjunction  with 
corn  and  linseed-cake.  But  it  should  be  clearly  understood 
that  this  is  altogether  an  artificial  state.  The  natural  dispositions 
of  sheep  are  at  war  with  such  a practice,  for  their  very  nature  is  a 
love  of  liberty ; and  although  we  have  subjected  them  to  this  very 
profitable  occupation,  it  should  be  clearly  understood  that  they 
are  more  liable  to  disease  in  consequence,  which  can  best  be  pre- 
vented by  the  assistance  of  artificial  food,  and  every  attention  being 
paid  to  their  general  comfort.  I have  my  peculiar  ideas  perhaps 
on  the  subject ; but  I cannot  help  thinking  that  a flock  of  sheep 
folded  on  turnips  during  rains  and  thaws,  where  the  turnips  are 
spoiled  with  mud  and  dung  and  urine,  and  where  the  sheep  are 
compelled  to  lie  on  the  wet  poachy  land,*  is  as  miserable  a sight 
as  can  well  be  conceived. f 
6.  Inattention  to  first  symptoms  of  disorders,  on  the 
part  of  feeders  and  shepherds,  occasions  serious  losses  to  their 
employers.  Veterinary  surgeons  well  know  that  the  majority  of 
fatal  cases  which  occur  in  their  practice  proceed  from  not  attend- 
ing to  the  premonitory  signs  of  disease.  These  are  in  cattle, 
loathing  of  food — “ rumination  suspended,  or  lazily  performed  ” — 
the  muzzle  dry  instead  of  being  bedewed — respiration  increased — 
hair  pitched,  and  not  licked : in  sheep,  carelessness  of  food — 
lagging  behind  the  flock — averseness  to  move — depression  of 
spirits — dropping  ears  and  panting  flanks  on  the  slightest  move- 
ment. When  these  symptoms  or  any  of  them  make  their  appear- 
ance, the  herdsman  or  shepherd  may  rest  assured  that  disease  is 
approaching,  and  it  becomes  his  duty  to  act,  and  that  without 
delay,  as  by  doing  so  the  disease  may  be  mitigated  or  arrested — 
thus  evincing  the  force  of  the  old  maxim,  “ venienti  occurrite 
morbo.”  The  knowing  how  to  manage  when  these  symptoms  make 
* It  is,  however,  a carious  fact,  for  which  I cannot  account,  that  sheep  often  thrive 
better  when  folded  on  poaching  land  of  good  quality,  than  they  will  upon  a dry  sandy 
loam. — Ph.  Pusey. 
f In  order  to  afford  protection  during  winter  weather,  moveable  folds  have  been  con- 
structed, having  a light  cloth  covering,  in  which  the  sheep  are  confined  during  night, 
and  where  they  can  retire,  if  necessary,  by  day.  Such  protection  as  this  will  afford  is 
of  great  service,  but  the  plan  hitherto  has  not  met  with  many  followers.  It  would 
afford  much  comfort  and  benefit  to  all  grazing  stock  if  shelter  from  the  scorching  sun 
of  summer  and  the  rains  and  storms  of  winter  could  be  provided  in  every  field. 
Hovels  for  this  purpose  might  be  furnished  at  very  little  expense,  and  in  most  fields 
corners  may  be  found  which  the  plough  cannot  touch,  where  they  might  be  conve- 
niently placed. 
VOE.  XI.  2 o 
